Rio de Janeiro has spent much of the past year trying to "pacify" its favelas — slums around the city that are home to a huge portion of the metropolis's population — as well as its crime. On Tuesday night, one of those favelas erupted in violence, prompting question in advance of this summer's World Cup.

Some 1.4 million people live in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, the run-down, ill-equipped neighborhoods that have become known for crime and poor living conditions. But the government is moving to improve conditions in those favelas and, so far at least, there are signs of success.

Some 1.4 million people live in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, the run-down, ill-equipped neighborhoods that have become known for crime and poor living conditions. But the government is moving to improve conditions in those favelas and, so far at least, there are signs of success.

Rio de Janeiro has spent much of the past year trying to "pacify" its favelas — slums around the city that are home to a huge portion of the metropolis's population — as well as its crime. On Tuesday night, one of those favelas erupted in violence, prompting question in advance of this summer's World Cup.

Rio de Janeiro has spent much of the past year trying to "pacify" its favelas — slums around the city that are home to a huge portion of the metropolis's population — as well as its crime. On Tuesday night, one of those favelas erupted in violence, prompting question in advance of this summer's World Cup.

Some 1.4 million people live in Rio de Janeiro's favelas, the run-down, ill-equipped neighborhoods that have become known for crime and poor living conditions. But the government is moving to improve conditions in those favelas and, so far at least, there are signs of success.

Rio de Janeiro has spent much of the past year trying to "pacify" its favelas — slums around the city that are home to a huge portion of the metropolis's population — as well as its crime. On Tuesday night, one of those favelas erupted in violence, prompting question in advance of this summer's World Cup.